Almost one in four (24%) people aged 18-21 in the UK have never registered to vote, according to a new ComRes poll commissioned by the Electoral Reform Society.
The shocking figure comes on the day of a nationwide campaign by pressure group Bite the Ballot to get as many people as possible on the electoral register. The inaugural National Voter Registration Day, on 5 February, sees schools, businesses and associations come together in an attempt to get 250,000 new names on the electoral register. A number of celebrities including Tinie Tempah and Eliza Doolittle are also backing the initiative.
Russell George, Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, said:
“It’s vitally important that we get young people interested and involved in politics. Young people are more politically active than ever online and on social media but I want to see that translate into real life engagement. I am always happy to hear from younger voters, to know what issues are important to them, what they support and oppose; and how I can best represent them.
“Attracting young people to vote should be a major focus for all political parties. The decisions we make now will have an impact on the future lives of today’s 18-21 year olds, whether they choose to study, work, set up a business or farm in Montgomeryshire. I am keen to support any project which encourages them to participate actively in those decisions.”
Steve Brooks, director of the Electoral Reform Society Cymru, added:
“For many people, getting on the register was something which their family did for them. But for young people who are about to become eligible to vote, that option will no longer be available and it will be up to them to register. The introduction of Individual Electoral Registration is an important and much-needed reform, but if it is not managed carefully then millions are at risk of going un-registered.”
Darren Hughes, Deputy Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society, added:
“Registering to vote is the first step towards participating in our democracy. With one in four young people not taking this step, that’s a lot of voices not being heard in our democratic process. Young people are less likely to register, and less likely to vote – and that has real consequences for the shape of our politics and the strength of our system.
“That’s why it is so important to get behind fantastic initiatives like Bite the Ballot’s National Voter Registration Day. The problem of under-registration, particularly among young people, needs the energy and focus of as many groups as possible if it is going to be solved. We urge all organisations and individuals who care about the future of our democracy to take part in getting as many young people as possible registered to vote.”
The survey also shows that less than half (46%) of the population registered themselves when they were first eligible to vote, with others either relying on someone else – such as a family member – to get them on the electoral register or not registering at all. Changes being introduced this year will mean that it will be everyone’s personal responsibility to get on the register. The new figures suggest that when these changes come in, millions will be at risk of going un-registered.
